Bronson Police convert and relocate to former PNC Bank

BRONSON — “This is a work in progress,” Bronson Police Chief Steve Johnson said after starting to renovate the former PNC Bank at 120 West Chicago last November.

Johnson moved his four-officer department into the new building on March 1 from the much smaller quarters in the Fire Department building on S. Matteson Street.

After years of discussing the need for larger quarters, the city council approved the purchase of the former bank for $40,000 in November.

City Manager Brandon Mersman said negotiations were, “a lengthy process. It took about a year,” to close on the bank, which ended Bronson operations in 2020.

The building was listed on tax rolls at $123,200.

Johnson and Deputy Chief Frank Barker each have offices, while officers Travis Ferry and Rick Petsun have desks with room for two more and space for part-time officers.

There is now a break room/training room for officers.

The city filled holes in the wall where drive-in tellers and ATMs were.

John replaced the front ATM in the lobby with a window and intercom. The public can come inside and contact officers on duty.

There is a private interview room for witnesses for the first time.

Some Bronson High School students are working on wall murals, while former bank vaults secure evidence and other items.

Plans include the construction of a locker room and showers upstairs.

Johnson said, “I spent a lot of hours painting and cleaning. I had a lot of days off in here. It was worth the investment.”

Johnson expects to finish major renovations for an open house by May.

There is more space than the police department needs.

Mersman said the council discussed using the additional space for city offices in the future. “There is no plan for that. It had been discussed.”

The current city hall is a cramped single open office space and a small council chamber.

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Johnson said the PNC building was the only adequate one the city could find available.

The Bronson Fire Department converted the former police offices into a training facility. The fire department had rented space in the Chicago Street School offices.

-- Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com 

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Bronson Police convert former PNC Bank to larger offices